Juicing: Detoxification with juices and smoothies the new diet trend.
Essentially, it is the consumption of fruit and vegetable juices or smoothies, that is, with the addition of other foods, such as fruit drinks, dairy products, mainly yogurt and nuts.
They evolved into well-designed programs that can last from one day to 21 and promise not so much weight loss, but an improvement in inner well-being, stimulation, rejuvenation, or otherwise detoxification, as we are used to calling it. Let's not forget that eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a better quality of life and longevity. For example, one of the most popular programs includes a 4-day detox where the intake of 3 juices and one free meal per day is recommended.
By combining fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs and more, combinations of nutrients are created that are specialized for weight loss, for immune stimulation, for adults, for children, for pregnant women, for athletes. This is how an industry begins to build in America with companies that make ready-made juices, books, weight loss and healthy eating programs, even ... special juicers.
Advantages
The main advantage of this trend is that it ensures the intake of fruits and vegetables that numerous studies have associated with promoting our health, such as improving cardiovascular function, preventing various forms of cancer, regulating sugar, good bowel function, weight control, etc. Especially in our time where the consumption of fruits and vegetables is far from the recommendations (more than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day) we realize that this "smart and creative" way of intake acquires special importance.
We also ensure the intake of vitamins, mainly E, C antioxidant components and other elements that also contribute to good skin health, the proper functioning of the metabolism, promote brain functions, contribute to proper hydration, stimulate our immune system.
However, communication "tricks" such as "cleanse our body of toxins" we easily understand that they do not come from scientists.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages include that they are usually not complete in all nutrients, mainly protein, but also iron, calcium. This means that they should not be done for long periods of time and before they are done the dietician should do an assessment of eating habits. A large percentage of vegetable fiber is also lost, which must be taken into account in the overall planning of the diet.
What to watch out for before doing it
- Have a nutritional assessment done by the dietitian.
- Choose combinations that are appropriate for what we want to achieve (eg a tonic juice may not be suitable for someone who wants to lose weight)
- Do not apply for long periods of time
- Systematic monitoring by a specialist (e.g. because most have a mild diuretic effect, if someone is hypotensive they are very likely to feel dizzy).
Green 3 and Citrus 2 are among the most popular drinks in America.
Green 3 (weight loss)
2 spinach leaves
½ cup chopped cabbage
4 cucumber sticks
5 cm ginger, finely chopped
1/2 apple, chopped
½ lemon
some celery,
Citrus 2 (weight loss)
½ apple, chopped
½ lemon
½ cup pineapple
A little mint
Motthie tonic
1 glass of apricot juice
2 tablespoons of grated walnut
1 banana
1 Apple
2 tbsp yogurt
2 tbsp raisins
2 tbsp. cinnamon
Mediterranean smoothie
1 carrot chopped
1 chopped tomato
4 cucumber sticks
1 teaspoon of salt
some black pepper
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
For athletes
2 whole beets
4 spinach leaves
4 cucumber sticks
2 lemons.
By Papalazaros Anastassiou, Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, PhD - article at http://www.iatronet.gr/
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